Lakeland group takes in rescued cats

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — The population at an animal rights shelter in Lakeland is overflowing with cats brought in from a home in Brooksville.

Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals spokeswoman Jessica Lawson says the cats were found last week in a home in "deplorable conditions."

Lawson told The Ledger of Lakeland (http://bit.ly/1jAqGzN ) 42 cats arrived late last week and another 27 were trapped at the home on Monday. Workers planned to return to the home Tuesday to search for more cats.

The SPCA heard about the plight of the cats on Friday and offered help to officials in Hernando County.

Lawson says the homeowner had not lived in the house for six months, but returned to provide food and water.